Course Title: Building Science: Practical Study in China

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Building Science: Practical Study in China

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BUIL1317

City Campus

Undergraduate

325H Property, Construction & Project Management

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2015

Course Coordinator: Usha Iyer-Raniga

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9066

Course Coordinator Email: usha.iyer-raniga@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

NONE


Course Description

The industrialisation of China has led to the rapid expansion of the construction industry, with China now operating as a key player in building and construction in the global market. This course will explore the rising Chinese construction industry, in the context of climate change and the need for lasting sustainability solutions for our built environment. It will be delivered as an intensive and includes a study tour.

The study tour component will enable you to examine first-hand how building science principles are applied within the Chinese building and construction sector. You will also critically engage with approaches to sustainability issues that are used in China and develop knowledge of how design and construction impact on building and construction performance in the region.
All participants in the ten day study tour must enrol in this course. Please note that course enrolment fees do not include tour costs. Refer to the Course Coordinator for details of the tour including itinerary; travel and accommodation costs; tour costs and deadlines.

Prior to the departure of the tour there will be a series of preparatory meetings and administrative tasks. Your full participation is expected in these activities.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Not applicable.


Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:
 

  • Analyse how thermal comfort, ventilation and indoor air quality, and lighting impact on the environmental systems of buildings
  • Identify how these different building science systems relate to sustainability principles and practices and contribute to the building system as a whole
  • Evaluate the use of building science to assess building design and performance
  • Critically reflect on global building and construction practices in the context of global climate change and sustainability targets/issues
     


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities in this course are designed for you to apply your developing knowledge and skills and include workshops, practical study, site visits and online learning materials. You will also work in laboratories in China to apply and develop your theoretical knowledge and undertake site visits to evaluate how this theory is applied in practice.
The study tour is conducted over a ten day period. You will be guided in your learning through readings, classes, laboratory experiments, construction site visits, workshops with industry representatives and academics and your own exploration of particular technical and economic aspects of the cities/regions you visit. You will collaborative with your peers in groups as well as undertake your own independent learning.
You will also engage in face to face classes and online material prior to the study tour. These will include discussion of readings as well as confirmation of the itinerary and suggested sites for group and individual investigation.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems.
A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.
While on tour you can expect to access lectures at industry sites, tours of construction sites and presentations from industry.
The University Library has extensive resources for construction management students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies [
The Library provides guides on academic referencing: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian, Miranda Francis.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.
Assessments may include:
Task 1: Laboratory tasks on aspects of thermal comfort: 30% weighting (due on the day of the laboratory workshops of the tour)
Task 2: Report on ONE thermal comfort topic as applicable during the site vists, 1500 words, 30% weighting (due during tour)
Task 3: Final report on the current circumstances, problems and prospects related to thermal comfort and sustainability in Australia and China, 2500 words, 40% weighting (due 3 weeks after tour)

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Disability Liaison Unit if you would like to find out more.
Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online:http://www.rmit.edu.au/policies/academic#assessment